Infantile apnea is a rare disease that is characterized by cessation of breathing in an infant for at least 20 seconds or a shorter respiratory pause that is associated with a slow heart rate, bluish discolouration of the skin, extreme paleness, gagging, choking and/or decreased muscle tone.
✓ having certain medical conditions (cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, sickle cell disease, abnormalities in the skull or face) ✓ being born with a low birth weight.
[1][3][4] Central apnea is characterized by insufficient responsiveness from respiratory centers such as the medulla, which results in poor coordination of the body systems that are necessary for breathing.
[4] In premature infants, central apnea is attributed to an underdeveloped respiratory system which results in decreased response to higher carbon dioxide levels and difficulty breathing.
[1] With the advancement of neonatal intensive care units and the greater technology available, there are more successful premature births compared to the past.
[1][5] Approximately 85 percent of infants born with a weight less than 2.2 pounds (1 kg) experience infantile apnea within the first month after birth.